Sooo this is part of 'The "Old Fanfiction Tropes" Competition II'

I went with the Fake Dating and with the characters Draco and Hermione. I don't even ship those two. Actually, I hate this pairing. But that's excactly why I decided to give it a go. Who knows maybe I'll end up as an Dramione shipper after all.

Please note Hermione is sometimes acting slightly out of character.

The story takes place somewhere in year 6. Ron dates Lavender already, but it's not 100% in accordance with the timeline in the books, and Ron and Hermione, though Hermione being annoyed about him and Lavender, do talk to each other.

Chapter 1:

'Don't be ridiculous, Ronald!', Hermione snapped. 'I am doing quite fine on my own.'

'Ah, yes right. Have you ever snogged someone except for Krum?', Ron said heatedly. 'Like, a relationship?'

'Just because you are dating Lavender does not mean you need to brag about it!'

'Who was bragging about everyone snogging except for me?'

She snorted. 'That was not me, besides, you are pretending as if it was such a huge thing, to date… Get over it, Ronald.'

'Over what?'

'Over thinking you're the only one capable of being in a relationship that lasts. Mind you, Victor and I were-'

She stopped. 'I can't believe I have to discuss this with you', she said coldly, and turned to leave.

'I pity Lavender', she said as she walked on, 'bad taste.' He ran after her.

'What did you just say?

'It's true.'

She looked at him slightly loathing.

'I'd date anyone rather than you.'

Ron glared at her. 'Come again?'

She didn't answer.

'I can't believe you', he said, 'sometimes you are such a…' He searched for words.

'You wouldn't', he said finally, sneering. 'That's not your style. You wouldn't date anyone.'

'Yes, I would!', she said angrily. She didn't really want Ron to get to her like that, but his attitude made her sick. She wanted to show him. And she also, kind of, wanted to pay him back for dating Lavender. Lavender, of all people!

He sneered. 'Malfoy, for instance?'

She glared at him. The grin on his face was the final straw to make her raging. She had enough of Ron's arrogant attitude. 'Fine!', she snapped, wiping the wide grin out of his face. 'I'll tell you! I am dating him already.'

She stood there, waiting, watching his face.

'Sorry?' He stared at her. 'You're kidding.'

'No', she said, taking a breath. She had started with this, now she had to stand for it. 'I am. We are. Erm, I was going to, you know, tell you guys, but… I didn't quite know how.'

She knew this was getting her somewhere she didn't want to go, but it was too late now. The grin finally faded out of Ron's face, making her inside smile. Yes!

'You've got be joking', he said, quite uncertain now.

'Ask him.' She bit her lip, praying he wouldn't do that.

He eyed her. 'You're bluffing.'

'I am not.' She managed to look disappointed and annoyed, and was proud of her acting qualities. 'But I don't quite get why I should justify this in front of you. It's not in your business.' She turned to the castle.

'Hold on!' He glared after her, but she didn't turn around.

As she went upstairs to the common room, she wondered how she would get out of this and preserving her honour, as Malfoy crossed her path. Of all people! He didn't even seem to recognize her at all. She wondered what was on his mind lately, he seemed always destracted.

She sighed. This would mean trouble. Why had she let herself driven so mad by Ron? Why did she care he dated Lavender?

She was already close to the portray hole when she changed her mind and decided to go to the library instead. Ron might join her in the common room, and she didn't want to talk to him right now. Maybe she should simply go to him, saying it had been a bluff and things were fine, that she didn't date Malfoy, but actually this was beyond her honour. She already could imagine Ron cheering about it. And she also wanted him to think she was in a happy relationship, to show him… whatever. She didn't know what she wanted to prove Ron. She had been stupid.

At least it was very unlikely he'd join her in the library.

As she went up to Gryffindor tower, passing the common room to the dormitories, she wasn't quite sure whether it was pure imagination or people were whispering behind her back. Harry and Ron were sitting close to the chimney, and Harry got up as she saw her.

'Hermione!', he shouted, waving with his hand. 'Over here!'

'Great', she whispered under her breath, trying to act normally as she went over to join them.

'Everything allright? You look a bit exhausted.'

Harry looked at her in concern.

'What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Lots of homework, you know.'

'Had a fight with Malfoy?', Ron taunted. 'I just told Harry about you guys.'

Oh, great. Hopefully he hadn't told anyone else. She didn't dare look into Harry's face.

'No, we weren't fighting', she snapped, 'and last time I checked that's none of your business.'

'And last time I checked we were friends', he said. 'Blimey, you are tensed. Is something wro-'

'Won-Won!' Lavender's yell from another corner of the common room interrupted him. She waved franticly, crying his name. Hermione rolled her eyes.

'I'm coming, honey!', Ron said, smiling.

He looked at her and Harry, apologetically. 'Gotta go', he mumbled.

Harry glared after him, before turning to Hermione, one eyebrow arised.

'What is that all about? Is it just Ron misinterpreting or…'

She sighed. 'Okay, fine', she said.

'I told Ron I was dating Malfoy, because he wouldn't shut up about me not being able to be in a proper relationship and he was also under the impression I was jealous of Lavender – as if!- so I got kind of mad and wanted to show him.'

Harry grinned. 'I see. And Malfoy was such a sensible object.'

'Well, kind of.' She sighed.

'I feel so stupid now.'

Harry laughed. 'Well, good luck with that then, Hermione.'

She glared at him in anger. 'Great. Thanks!'

He coughed and then got a grip of himself. 'Sorry. So, what's your plan then?'

'I don't have one, have I? Like, what can I do?'

Harry chuckled, but stopped instantly as he spotted the angry expression on her face.

'Urm, sorry. Well I s'ppose you gor two options. Telling Ron you made the whole thing up, or', he grinned again, 'dating Malfoy. I mean, I guess you could try and convince Ron you guys just split up this very day, but I don't think he's that thick, so…'

'Could you be serious for a second?', she said slightly annoyed. 'I'm in the middle of a situation here.'

He looked at her, and she looked at him, and then they both burst out in laughter. It took Hermione a while to pull herself together again.

'Now, seriously', she said. 'I don't know what to do. I mean, what am I supposed to do? There is no way out of this without either losing Ron's respect to me or actually dating Malfoy. I mean, Malfoy! He wouldn't even want to date me! And I'd rather kill myself than actually dating him!'

'Yes, I s'ppose suicide is always a solution', Harry chuckled.

'Oh, just shut up. I wish I hadn't told you.'

He looked at her, and she couldn't help but saying: 'Okay, no, I'm glad you know. And if it wasn't so horribly tragic, it would really be a laugh. I'd be laughing if it wasn't me. But it is me, and really, I thought you could be a little more help.'

'I'm sorry', he said, 'but I think you have to sort this out by yourself.'

Yes. She had to sort it out by herself. Damn it.

/Hey, a casual affair/That could go anywhere/And only for tonight/

I hope you guys enjoyed it! I actually really loved writing it. It's not my usual style, but I am currently trying out a lot. Hopefully you'll read the next chapter as well :)